How severe are my acne scars? (Photo)

Acne scars are typically classified into several types based on their appearance:

Ice Pick Scars: Deep, narrow, and pitted scars that are often difficult to treat.

Boxcar Scars: Broad, rectangular depressions with sharply defined edges, which can be shallow or deep.

Rolling Scars: Broad depressions with a sloped edge, giving the skin a wavy appearance.

Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars: Raised scars that form due to an overproduction of collagen.

To assess the severity of your acne scars, consider factors such as the depth and size of the scars, the overall texture of your skin, and how much the scars impact your appearance and self-confidence.

For a precise evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations, it is best to consult with a dermatologist. They can assess your skin in person and suggest appropriate treatment options, such as laser therapy, microneedling, chemical peels, or fillers, depending on the type and severity of your scars.

Hello. My name is Ranen and I am an aesthetic nurse here at Aesthetic Skin. I love microneedling, but for acne scars I may recommend a different treatment of a combination of treatments . Using a combination of treatments such a coolpeel Co2 laser combined with microneedling would be more effective. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at 312-944-0117.

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

At our practice we offer both microneedling and Laser Genesis in regards to acne scarring. During microneedling over 5 million controlled wounds are created on skin which stimulates the skins natural healing process, which leads to elastin and collagen regrowth. This helps with acne scarring and skin tone/texture.
Laser Genesis is a noninvasive option for acne scarring and skin tone/texture. This laser heats the upper dermis and collagen regrowth is stimulated.

Microneedling or Morpheus 8 would be beneficial for acne scars. Microneedling improves skin texture by encouraging the body to make more collagen. A series of 3 to 6 treatments is always recommended for best results but it is best to get a consult for your skin type.

Microneedling with SkinPen can help improve the appearance of acne scars. You can also consider Morpheus8 which combines RF technology with microneedling to improve overall skin tone and texture. Be patient with your treatment. Multiple sessions are generally needed.

These are great photos! It looks like you have mostly boxcar scars and maybe a few icepick scars. For scars like these, there are many treatments that can help:
Microneedling: This is a great option for all acne scars, especially for boxcar scars like yours! It usually takes multiple sessions to see noticeable results.
Laser: Laser treatments are also good for all types of scars. There are many types of lasers, the most effective being a CO2 laser.
TCA Cross: I think this may be your best bet. TCA Cross involves applying a strong acid directly into the scar to encourage collagen growth, helping to fill in the depth over time. We use this all the time for icepick and boxcar scars (like yours!) and it works well. Most people need 3 to 6 sessions, spaced 2 to 8 weeks apart.
I hope this helps!